A Pittsburgh man, identified as Julian Johnson, is now facing a litany of charges following a multi-county high-speed chase in a vehicle that was allegedly stolen. According to WPXI, the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office reported that the incident began around 3:45 a.m. last Saturday, when North Huntingdon police spotted a vehicle driving without headlights and attempted to identify the license plate. The pursuit quickly escalated when the driver attempted to elude pursuing officers.
The chase ensued along Route 30, with police attempting to employ spike strips, but Johnson reportedly swerved into oncoming traffic to narrowly avoid the trap. "The driver took off again at a high rate of speed," the DA's office stated, WPXI reported, noting that other drivers had to veer off the road to avoid being struck. "The pursuit continued on Route 30, with the driver at times traveling in oncoming traffic and hitting speeds upwards of 90 mph." During the pursuit, Johnson's vehicle is said to have collided head-on with a North Huntingdon police cruiser, injuring an officer inside.
As the chase wound through various communities, WTAE reported, the suspect's reckless efforts to escape came to an end in Wilkinsburg, where he abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. Authorities said Johnson threw a firearm with an extended magazine during the foot chase and tried to commandeer a running vehicle. Upon his capture, he reportedly expressed regret for not shooting at the officers first.
Upon searching Johnson, officers discovered a baggie of cocaine, a scale, cash, and jewelry in his pocket, indicating possible drug trafficking activities. The vehicle he had been driving was confirmed to have been stolen out of Jeannette. Now in custody, Julian Johnson faces up to 29 charges, including aggravated assault, theft, receiving stolen property, flight to avoid apprehension, and evading arrest. He's currently being held at the Westmoreland County Jail without bail.
